Simply Summer Living

To me, summer living is all about being outdoors and enjoying nature. As soon as the weather warms up to a reasonable temperature, I always have windows and sliding doors open!

Image courtesy of http://deavita.com/gartengestaltung-pflege/balkon/kleinen-balkon-gestalten-ideen.html

Dedicating times to be outdoors can be challenging since we all live busy lives. However, with the weather warming up and the days getting longer, there is no excuse to be spending time indoors, sitting at a computer. But did you know that more time spent outdoors in nature leads to many benefits that contribute to an increase in mental and physical well-being?  So grab some glasses and a few cushions and have a picnic in the park or back garden!

Image courtesy of http://www.housetohome.co.uk/room-idea/picture/country-garden-ideas-10-of-the-bes

Enjoy summer evenings and nights outside with our outdoor lighting. Most lamps are solar-powered so you can just grab them, charge them in the sun and put them wherever you want. 

Image courtesy of http://www.french75salvage.com/home-spaces-design/gypset-decor-diy-balcony-patio/

June 21^st is Midsummer – why not have a Midsummer Party with friends and/or neighbours?

Image courtesy of http://www.wand-und-beet.de/garten/gartendekoration/so-wird-es-ein-schoenes-mittsommerfest

Whatever you choose, wherever you go, make sure you enjoy yourself!

Sabine

Simply Seasonal: Decorating with white and fresh greens

During May, my favourite decorating colours for the home are a fresh green & white colour scheme. Take a look at the following for inspiration:

Using fresh branches from trees or bushes and dot them in large vases around the home.

Image courtesy of http://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/page/4/

 Decorate a mantelpiece.

Image courtesy of http://www.gratefireplace.co.uk/blog/spring-decoration-ideas-for-your-mantelpiece/

 Create a nice table display.

Image courtesy of http://www.provinzkindchen.com/2013/03/interior-inspiration-lovely-spring-6.html

Use green accessories.

Image courtesy of http://www.aliexpress.com/popular/green-plaid-sofa.html

Sabine

Simply Calm

As important as it is to make visual statements in your home, it is also very important to create places of calm to counteract the chaos of life. The more you have going on in your life, the more this will resonate with you. Having a home that reflects serenity can truly give you a sense of peace. In today’s world, that is more important than ever.

Image courtesy of http://www.yogavibes.com/blog/features/get-in-shape-yoga-workouts/

How do we make our home calm without driving ourselves crazy?

Apart from clearing the clutter from our homes (see previous blog entry) and using a soothing colour scheme, the best way to restore calm to your home (and life) is being organised and creating routines. Rather than viewing organisation as a chore that keeps us too busy to enjoy life, we need to understand that organisation contributes positively to our well-being. We feel less stress because we can find what we want. It helps us be more prepared for our day to achieve and accomplish our goals. 

Routines and systems may not be for everyone and you might be quite happy with a “just do it” approach but they are a good compromise for the things that you don’t like doing and normally avoid. For example, you may not like cleaning but need to do it in order to keep your spaces clear to get your work done and to feel comfortable in your home. Try locking in a couple of 45-60 cleaning sessions per week (possibly with some loud, energising music that will keep you going).

Here are some household routine ideas that might get you thinking:

• daily tidy-up
• meal planning
• pre-made food shopping lists / online food shopping & delivery
• use a planner/diary to track appointments, birthdays, children’s activities, important information (doctors, schools, babysitter etc.) – for free printables, see this fab website http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.co.uk/p/free-printables.html
• prepare the night before the next day - such as packed lunches, laying out clothes and school uniforms, gathering things to take with you, packing bags, checking schedule/diary etc.
• have a weekly review and planning session (check with your partner as well if applicable)
• batch items like ironing together and have one weekly session 

Image courtesy of http://yournestdesign.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/in-pink.html

Sabine

Simply Cleaning

Spring is a time for cleaning, getting rid of old and unused items, and makeovers.

Some people naturally settle into a cleaning routine and others have to work a little harder at it. Some people want an immaculate house and some aim simply to keep up with the basics. Again, the key is to figure out what works for you and do it regularly so it rarely or never builds up and becomes a major chore.

Image courtesy of http://www.housetohome.co.uk

The key to simplifying your cleaning systems is to decide on your minimum standards. This is a very personal thing and the key is to be critical and honest with yourself. Remember that a person who chooses a more relaxed approach to cleaning is not a lesser person than one who maintains an immaculate home. It comes down to values and priorities which are personal. The trick is to find what works for you rather than worrying about a standard set by your mother or mother-in-law or an ideal that you have in your mind of what a home “should” be like.

Decide what a minimum standard looks like for you and commit to meeting that standard on a weekly basis. If it is a good week you go beyond that minimum level and tackle some additional tasks and chores. If a week is bad, busy or crazy, you can let go of the extras knowing you have met your minimum standard.

One of the best routines you could invest your time in is a quick daily tidy-up. Give yourself 10-15 minutes before settling down to watch TV or going to bed to clear away stuff. This will then create a space that you are more likely to clean consistently as it is easier to tackle a room that is cleared of clutter. If you have not packed away stuff, you will be less inclined to get the vacuum cleaner or mop out if you have the additional task of tidying up first!

Image courtesy of https://www.pinterest.com/royalreadymaids/ideas-for-the-house/

Sabine

Simply Seasonal: Happy Easter!

I am not a religious person but I still love decorating for Easter. To me, Easter means the beginning of Spring - gone are the dark days of Winter and new life is blossoming everywhere. A promise of longer and warmer days ahead...

Here are some of my favourite Easter decorations. Enjoy!

Image courtesy of http://www.homebunch.com/easter-decorating-ideas/

Bird's Nest Door Wreath:

Image courtesy of http://polkadotbungalow.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/moss-and-birds-nest-spring-wreath.html

Display your favourite Easter Eggs:

Image courtesy of http://www.hglivingbeautifully.com/2015/03/11/stunning-easter-egg-decorating-ideas/   

Easter Bunny:

Blogger's own image

Sabine

A Home For Everything

To simplify our homes we need more than just simplifying what we have. We need to simplify hour our houses operate so that we reduce stress, save time and feel comfortable in our spaces. No more wasting time and energy looking for things, digging through piles of paper for that one important needed piece or running back home for something that you have forgotten!

The cornerstone of simplifying your home is to assign everything a home. What you are aiming for is that each room has a function that is clearly defined, with homes for everything that belongs in that space. When you are thinking about assigning a home for your things, keep like with like (i.e. keeping cookbooks in the kitchen and not on a bookshelf in the living room). Be in tune how you use your home. Do what makes sense to you and what you will stick with. The aim is to know where to go looking for something when you need it.

Image courtesy of http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/dream-kitchen-professional-design-ideas/cookbook-shelf

As you are assigning homes for items, also make sure that you can easily access things that you will need regularly. Only store things that you need once or twice a year in the loft or basement/cellar (i.e. Christmas decorations, suitcases etc.).

If you want items to be returned to their homes, make sure everyone knows where they belong and that they can access them easily. Get everyone to put things away when finished with them so that they don’t pile up. Remember, once your house is organised and things have a place to return to, regular tidying up becomes a realistic task rather than an overwhelming drama!

Image courtesy of http://zuhairah-homeinteriordesign.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/step-inside-edwardian-family-home.html

Sabine

Simply Seasonal: Decorating with Spring Flowers

One of my favourite ways to decorate the house is with fresh flowers. Nothing cheers the place up more than a simple bunch of daffodils. After a long winter, enjoy a little bit of sunshine in a jug!

Image courtesy of http://66squarefeet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/flowers-in-house.html

Sabine